Union Government and protesting farmer groups came to consensus on two issues: Tomar
New Delhi: The talks between the Union Government and the protesting farmer groups came to an understanding on two issues in the agenda, the remaining two issues will discuss in the next meeting.
The next meeting will resume on January 4th, said the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar after the sixth round of talks on Wednesday. On Wednesday talks the Government firm on backing the contentious farm laws, the Centre has offered concessions elsewhere to farmers the electricity amendment bill and penal provisions for stubble burning.
Farmers who attended the meet said the Government has indicated that it would not repeal the laws, citing the long process required. The 41 farmers’ groups attending the meet said they will respond after discussions.
The Agriculture Minister Tomar said the Government has offered to withdraw the Electricity Amendment Bill and the penal provisions for stubble burning in the Air Quality Commission Ordinance, which were among the other demands of the protesting farmers. “Talks will resume at 2 pm on January 4 on the two outstanding issues.
The farmer unions should ask the elderly, the women and children to return home owing to the winter conditions”. The farmer representatives said the Government is still adamant about not repealing the farm laws, said representatives of the farmers’ groups. It is also not ready for legally enforced support prices for produce and said a committee can be formed to look into it, said the farmers group.
“Tomar said as a farmer’s son, he can understand the need for a legally enforceable support price. But it is not practicable due to enormous financial implications,” said Kavita Kuruganti, representative of a farmers’ union. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait told to the media persons that “After new farm laws were implemented in Uttar Pradesh, prices of crops have dropped by 50 per cent. Crops are being bought at below MSP.
Paddy is being sold at ₹ 800 per quintal. We will raise these issues in the meeting”. The farmers have accused the Government of benefitting corporates at their expense. They have said they will accept nothing less than a repeal of the contentious farm laws. They also insist on a law that guarantees the MSP, for which the Government is only ready to give a written assurance.